Hose clamp



Dec. 12, 1944.

\/. E. sPRoUsE HOSE CLAMP Filed Aug. 20, 1945 Patented Dec. 12, 1944UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HOSE CLAMP Verner E. Sprouse, Columbus, Ind.Applicatiol August 2o, 1943, serial No. 499,370 5 claims. (c1. 24-19)This invention relates to hose clamps and has for a primary object theprovision of a clamping mechanism which will be free of projectingbolts, ends, and the like. An important advantage of the inventionresides in the fact that the clamping mechanism is entirely connedwithin a more or less rounded housing so that there will be nol dangerof the workman catching his clothing on the clamp when he is workingabout the device to. which the clamp is applied. Furthermore, thestructure embodying the invention provides a highly eii'icient method ofdrawing up the strap of the clamp snugly about the hose to which it isapplied in an even manner.

These and other important advantages of the invention, including abetter appearing structure, will become apparent tol those versed in theart in the following description of the invention as illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a viewin side elevation inpartial section of a structure embodying the invention;

Fig. 2, a view in end elevation;

Fig. 3, a View in` top plan and partial section;

Fig. 4, a view in side elevation in partial section in reference to Fig.3 of a structure embodying another forrm of the invention;

Fig. 5, a view in end elevation of that second form; and

Fig. 6, a view in top plan and partial section.

Like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several viewsin. the drawing.

Referring first to that form of the invention as shown in Figs. 1-3, anencircling member, such as a strap I is formed to have an end portion IIupturned to serve as an abutment for a screwthreaded member, such as anut I2. This end portion of the strap I0 is carried around from the topend of the abutment II over the top of the nut I2 and thence diagonallydownwardly to terminate in a foot I3 which is brought into .contact withthe outer side of the strap I0 and there secured in any suitable manner,such as by welding. r Preferably a hole I4 is provided in the diagonalportion in order to provide clearance for the end of a securing bolt I5that may extend beyond the nut I2.

The other end of the strap I0 is brought around to lap under the rst endportion above described to bear thereagainst in a sliding manner, thisend portion being designated as the tongue I6 and free to slide incontact with the inner or under face of the flrst described end portion.Between those end portions, the strap I0 is formed in a generallycircular shape. An

l at the left-hand end thereof, Fig. 1, bearing in sliding contact withthe outer face of the strap I0 beyond the foot I3. At the opposite endof the housing I8 is a wall 20, herein shown as having a holetherethrough, the lmargin of the hole being formed by having a part ofthe wall inturned in a frusto-conical shape. toserve as a bearing for alike shaped head 2| of the bolt I5. The hole through this `end, wall ofthe housing I8 is so located that the axis of the bolt I5 will benormally perpendicular to a diameter of the formed strap I0.

From a lower end of this right-hand wall 20 l extends a foot 22 inContact with the outer face of the strap I0. .This foot 22 is secured tothe strap I in any suitable manner, such as by spot- Welding. Thehousing I8 is thus located to be over the abutment I I under which thetongue I6 extends. Furthermore the bolt I5 is entirely within thehousing and the only exposed portion is the outer face o-f the head 2 I,herein shown as being slotted to be turned by means of a screw driverfor carrying the bolt through the nut I2 in order to reduce the diameterof the strap I0. The head 2I is lixed in relation to peripheral travelaround the strap I0 by reason of the housing I8 being secured to thestrap Ill. The abutment II is pulled toward the housing wall 20 when thebolt I5 is revolved therein in the proper direction to eftject theclamping engagement. For use on large diameter hoses, the side walls ofthe housing II may be flanged outwardly to form the arcuate side feet 23and 24 for the purpose of bearing on the hose. In small diameter clamps,these flanges would be preferably omitted due to the difliculty offorming them in a stamping operation. Normally the housing I 8 is tendedto be rocked down into engagement by the foot I 9 with the strap I0 asthe bolt I5 is drawn into.

clamping position by reason of the fact that the wall 2D would otherwisetend to bend around toward the tongue I6. This bending action isprevented by reason of the top and side walls of the housing I8 forminga. substantial brace with portion tied through the foot I3 to the strapI0.

Thus a structure is provided wherein there are no corners or projectingbolt ends on which clothing or even the fingers of a workman may becaught. The structure is of particular advantage in places where thereis restricted room to work.

Referring now to that form ofthe invention as shown in Figs. 4-6, theprimary difference between this form and the form shown in Figs. 1-3resides in the forming of an abutment carrying the screw-threaded memberto be `engaged by the bolt I5. In this second form, the strap I is bentupwardly and thence around and back down over itself to form the doublestrap thickness abutment 25. From the lower end of the downturned partof this abutment, the strap Il) is continued on around to form thetongue 26 lapping under the opposite end portion of the strap III whichcarries the foot 22 of the housing I8, this foot 22 being secured tothat end of the strap by any suitable means, such as by spotwelding. Thehousing I8 has its foot I9 bearing against the outer face of the strapI0 beyond the abutment 25. The nut I2, which is placed outside of theabutment 25, may be loose in reference thereto or it may be secured tothe abutment 25 in any suitable manner, such as by sweating or welding.

while I have herein shown and described my invention in the particularforms, it is obvious that structural variations may be employed withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention and I therefore do not desireto be limited to those precise forms beyond the limitations as may beimposed by the following claims,

I claim:

1. A hose clamp comprising in combination, an encircling strap; anoutturned abutment on one end portion of the strap including ascrewthreaded part; a housing secured to the other end portion of saidstrap and covering said abutment; a wall in said housing outturned fromsaid strap and having a hole therethrough; a bolt through said .holescrew-threadedly engaging with said abutment screw-threaded part; a

shoulder on the bolt revolubly engaging about the margin of said hole;and a bearing member carried by said housing to contact said strapbeyond said abutment to limit the rocking of the housing toward saidabutment when said bolt is drawn up in said screw-threaded part.

2, A hose clamp comprising yin combination an encircling strap; anoutturned abutment on one end portion of the strap including ascrewthreaded part; a housing secured to the other end portion of saidstrap and covering said abutment; a wall` in said housing outturned fromsaid strap and having a hole therethrough; a bolt through said holescrew-threadedly engaging with said abutment screw-threaded part; ashoulder on the bolt revolubly engaging about the margin of said hole; abearing member carried by said housing to contact said strap beyond saidabutment to limit -the rocking of the housing toward said abutment whensaid bolt is drawn up in said screw-threaded part; said abutmentcomprising an end portion of said strap bent outwardly and thence loopedaround and back down against and secured to said strap; and saidscrew-threaded part consisting of a nut positioned within said loopagainst said abutmsnt.

3. A hose clamp comprising in combination an encircling strap; anoutturned abutment on one end portion of the strap including ascrewthreaded part; a housing secured to the other end portion of saidstrap and covering said abutment; a wall in said housing outturned fromsaid strap and having a hole therethrough; a bolt through said holescrew-threadedly engaging with said abutment screw-threaded part; ashoulder on the bolt revolubly engaging about the margin of said hole; abearing member carried by said housing to contact said strap beyond saidabutment to limit the rocking of the housing toward said abutment whensaid bolt is drawn up in said screw-threaded part; said abutmentcomprising an end portion of said strap bent outwardly and thence loopedaround and back down against and secured to said strap; saidscrew-threaded part consisting of a nut positioned within said loopagainst said abutment; said other end of said strap extending by atongue under said housing and under said abutment.

4. A hose clamp comprising in combination an encircling strap; anoutturned abutment on one end portion of the strap including ascrewthreaded part; a housing secured to the other end portion of saidstrap and covering said abutment; a wall in said housing outturned fromsaid strap and having a hole therethrough; a bolt through said holescrew-threadedly engaging with said abutment screw-threaded part; ashoulder on the bolt revolubly engaging vabout the margin of said hole;a bearing member carried by said housing to limit the rocking of thehousing toward said abutment when said bolt is drawn up in saidscrew-threaded part; said abutment comprising an end portion of saidstrap bent outwardly and thence looped around and back down against andsecured to said strap; said screw-threaded part consisting of a nutpositioned within said loop against said abutment; said bearing memberconsisting of a foot slidingly resting on said strap beyond saidabutment.

5. A hose clamp comprising in combination an encircling strap; anoutturned abutment on one end portion o! the strap including ascrewthreaded part; a housing secured to the other end portion of saidstrap and covering said abutment; a wall in said housing outturned fromsaid strap and having a hole therethrough; a bolt through said holescrew-threadedly engaging with said abutment screw-threaded part; ashoulder on the bolt revolubly engaging about the margin of said hole; abearing member carried.

by said housing to contact said strap beyond said abutmentto limit therocking of the housing toward said abutment when said bolt is rdrawn upin said screw-threaded part; said abutment comprising a portion of vsaidstrap bent outwardly therefrom and folded back inwardly thereover; andatongue extending from the inner end of said back fold and around undersaid other strap end portion.

VERNER E. SPROUSE.

